Process R&D Manager (high-temperature cathode material processes)

About Umicore

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Giving new life to used metals. Powering the cars of the future. As a global materials and technology group, we apply our specialist knowledge to offer materials and solutions that are essential to everyday life. We aim to be a clear world leader in materials for clean mobility and recycling and have turned our sustainability approach into an even greater competitive advantage. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do?

About Rechargeable Battery Materials (RBM)

We are all on the move. Umicore’s rechargeable battery materials give people autonomy and connectivity. We are a pioneer in battery materials that give added range and performance to electric vehicles. Our materials also ensure longer battery life for portable electronics. To enable our customers to produce even better performing batteries we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come

What you will be doing

You will be part of the global process technology and engineering team within the business unit rechargeable battery materials! As a Process R&D Manager / Senior Process Development Engineer you will lead and implement defined process R&D projects within the field of high-temperature processes, ranging from early R&D to full industrialization. You will be responsible for further development of the competences/expertise on furnace technologies and related equipment. As you will be part of a global team, you will intensively collaborate with colleagues at different locations (Poland, Korea, China). 

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Management and Execution of predefined global process R&D and industrialization projects;
• Definition of detailed test plans on different equipment scales (from lab up to mass production) to process R&D and industrialization projects
• Reporting the project status towards management (Data analysis, conclusions, project plan, risk mitigation plan). 
• New technology evaluation, including paper studies, lab- and pilot testing, and final evaluation on the potential of the new technologies;
• (Functional) lead over a project team, dividing tasks based on team member expertise, collecting results and analyzing them to come to a clear conclusion and way-forward;
• Creation of required process documentation towards process engineering.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a flexible colleague with:

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Experience within the domain of R&D project management, process technology development and/or process engineering;
• Excellent reporting and communication skills in English;
• Good organizing skills;
• The ability to make decisions, persevere and commit to results;
• Technical curiosity and an innovative mentality;
• Problem solver: detailed and methodological approach, ability to synthesize, analytical and critical;
• Team player;
• Respectful, creative and assertive;PhD in chemistry, metallurgy, material science, engineering, … or equivalent by experience. 

BONUS CRITERIA:

• Relevant work experience in process R&D, process technologies and equipment, process engineering, or process industrialization; 
• Experience in the battery and/or process engineering industry;
• Experience with high-temperature processes;
• Knowledge in chemical thermodynamics and kinetics;
• Knowledge in powder/bulk solid handling;
• Knowledge in process safety
• Experience with process documentation of process industrialization projects (PFD, P&ID, mass balance, process description, cost calculations…).

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?

If our battery materials can power electric verhicles, IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD DO